Testifies in support of the bill
because it allows loggers to stay in business and states that the loggers are
okay with the amendment because they know more time will just add to the
proof that the exemption is successful.

053

Sen. Metsger

Asks who has utilized this credit
and what kind of equipment qualifies for the exemption.

056

Geisinger

Responds that the type of equipment involved
is largely ground-based forwarders and processors that can take down a
standing tree and load it on to a forwarding, leaving a very light touch on
the land.

072

Sen. Metsger

Asks if this applies to air
equipment.

075

Geisinger

Responds that it only applies to
land equipment.

080

Gil Riddell

Testifies in support of the
amendment because it adds the four year clause rather than eliminating the
sunset in order to make sure it is a responsible exemption.

085

Hasina Squires

Testifies that they don’t support
eliminating exemptions but they do support the amendment to extend it four
additional years.

092

Riddell

Explains that local governments pay
for exemptions, which is why they are there.

Discusses the need for a stability
fund and the debate on also having a spending limit. Discusses analysis of
unfunded voter initiatives compared to growth in spending and income levels
(Exhibit 7).

210

Warner

Elaborates on the analysis of
initiatives and expenditures.

258

Sen. Morse

Asks that the committee keep the
kicker bills in the mix by allowing them to go to the floor for a vote.

271

Sen. Metsger

Discusses the argument that there is
an inherent spending cap. Asks how this measure is a spending limitation as
well as a saving mechanism.

295

Sen. Morse

Responds that there is an implied
spending limit in the bill because they have lowered the threshold to
anything over 1 percent going into the stability fund. States that there is a
reasonable possibility that the kicker will kick in this biennium, creating a
bigger hole.

326

Sen. Hannon

States that he would be more
supportive if they were putting a referendum to the voters to repeal the
kicker because people won’t understand the shifting of funds. Asserts that
this won’t create discipline in the Legislature, citing the increase in
spending at the same time the kicker was refunded.

368

Sen. Morse

Responds that this bill does create a
discipline for saving.

378

Sen. Hannon

Replies that those were the same
words used when the kicker was created.

392

Sen. Ferrioli

Agrees that citizens have difficulty
understanding the kicker but that they understood it enough to vote it into
the Constitution. States that even though he opposed the bill originally, they
should be flexible as possible to keep options alive and that he will support
it here today to keep it alive.

MOTION: MOVES THE RULES BE SUSPENDED
FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECORDING A VOTE ON THE MOTION BY WHICH HB 2372 WAS SENT TO
THE SENATE FLOOR WITH A DO PASS AS AMENDED RECOMMENDATION. * (Refer to tape
163, side A, meter 105)